I realized I haven’t written here in months and I apologize. I’ve been trying to figure out why all the tasks have seemed SO big and where all my enjoyment in telling stories and interviewing people went. Between Local Ladies, and a new website, a second year of school, and work, everything just started to seem way to big to conquer and as a result, I was discouraged before I even started. So, I’m bringing it back to basics. Back to the good ol’ blog, where I’ll be posting everything. Regardless of what people may think, regardless of it’s “professional”, I’m going to tell my stories and the stories of those around me who inspire.

So, now that that’s out of the way. What’s new?

Local Ladies had its premiere screening in September, selling out the atrium of Innovation Guelph and raising almost $400 for Women in Crisis. Local Ladies has also made the jump to being year round instead of just one month. I’ll be interviewing women who inspire me and posting the interviews all year long. So, keep your eyes peeled here for those videos.

I started second year of school, but now we’re on strike…so I’m just trying to get all of my work done despite the strike. It’s a whole stressful thing! But hey, such is life. I’ve taken many naps and I am READY to hustle. Well, like half ready. I did just add a bunch of new movies to my Netflix queue too…

Too often, comedy can feel like a non-inclusive thing. That’s why comedians Erinn White, Suzie Taka, and Sarah Simpson are trying to change that with their comedy show LOL (Ladies and LGTBQ+ Out Loud).

Host Erinn White admires the show from the back of venue, Open Sesame.

“We’re three comedians. So comedy is great, but comedy is obviously funny. But we felt sometimes comedy often isn’t feminist, it often isn’t queer-friendly, so we kind of wanted to make a home in downtown Kitchener where you could have something that’s both political, feminist progressive humor but also still super funny,” said Taka. Continue reading “Lots of Laughs and Inclusivity at LOL Comedy Show.”→

Menstruation. Something every woman has to deal with, whether that is with sanitary pads, tampons, or alternative options. But what happens when you can’t afford those products? When you have to decide between buying groceries or feminine hygiene products? That’s where Holly Mastrogiacomo comes in.

Holly is the owner of Smitten Apparel, a consignment clothing store in Guelph, Ont. In addition to supporting and empowering women by selling clothing in a range of different sizes, Smitten Apparel has also implemented the Tampon Tuesday program as part of its community outreach. Founded in 2009 by CTV London, Tampon Tuesday holds events in which the admission is one box of menstrual hygiene items. Smitten Apparel has take this on as well, offering a five per cent discount on your purchase when you donate an item and a ballot entry to win a gift certificate.

Inspired by Holly’s story and her drive to create change in her community, I just HAD to interview her. We talked about Tampon Tuesday, her recent Goodworking experience, and her advice for women starting their own business. Click on the video below to see my full interview with Holly Mastrogiacomo, owner of Smitten Apparel.

Young filmmakers and movie enthusiasts will gather in Toronto this weekend for TIFF Next Wave 2017. The three-day event will feature 19 screenings, a 24-hour film challenge, and a Battle of the Scores.

Attendees will also be able to participate in the Young Creators Co-Lab, where they will have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with other young filmmakers and industry professionals. The Co-Lab schedule includes two panels; Women of the Web: Taking Space in the Digital Sphere, and Making the Change: A Conversation About Systemic Racism, The Media and Evolving the Story.

“I think sort of as like inspiration and also affirmation to what young creators are already doing, the panels are in place to support them on their journey,” said Brigid Tierney, senior coordinator at TIFF. “But I think young people are really leading the way so we’re just responding to things that they are asking for and things they’re participating in.” In keeping with the themes of diversity and inclusion in the media, the co-lab ends with a Close-Up with James Laxton, the cinematographer on Oscar-nominated film Moonlight.

The festival itself is planned by a committee of twelve students, ranging in age from 15 to 18 years old. For all the young filmmakers looking for inspiration, collaboration and knowledge, the Co-Lab is worth taking a look at. With the world constantly changing, young filmmakers have the opportunity to drive the conversations on diversity, and representation in both on and off screen. When asked what she hopes participants take away from the event, Tierney said “We notice a lot of our high-schoolers, sometimes they don’t go to art high schools and they feel like they’re the only ones who are like really into film. So I hope that they meet other people who are into film, maybe people to work with and collaborate with.”

The TIFF Next Wave Young Creator Co-Lab is on Feb. 17th at 9:30am-5pm in the TIFF Bell Lightbox. You can find more info on the co-lab and all the other parts of the festival at their website; http://www.tiff.net/next-wave/.